Launches / Atlas V 551
Atlas V 551, flown by United Launch Alliance
This was United Launch Alliance's 2nd launch of 2026, and its 172nd in all.
Counting every operator, it was the 77th orbital launch attempt anywhere in 2026, and the second from Space Launch Complex 41.
Amazon Leo, formerly known as Project Kuiper, is a mega constellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit that will offer broadband internet access, this constellation will be managed by Kuiper Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Amazon. This constellation is planned to be composed of 3,276 satellites. The satellites are projected to be placed in 98 orbital planes in three orbital layers, one at 590 km, 610 km and 630 km altitude. 29 satellites are carried on this launch.
Amazon Leo is a satellite internet constellation aimed at providing high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity to underserved and remote areas globally. The project involves deploying a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to create a satellite internet network capable of delivering reliable internet access.
Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with Boeing. Each Atlas V rocket uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen to power its first stage and an American-built RL10 engine burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to power its Centaur upper stage. The RD-180 engines are provided by RD Amross, while Aerojet Rocketdyne provides both the RL10 engines and the strap-on boosters used in some configurations. The standard payload fairing sizes are 4 or 5 meters in diameter and of various lengths. Fairings sizes as large as 7.2 m in diameter and up to 32.3 m in length have been considered. The rocket is assembled in Decatur, Alabama and Harlingen, Texas.
23 flights, 23 of them successful.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security. ULA was formed in December 2006 by combining the teams at these companies which provide spacecraft launch services to the government of the United States. ULA launches from both coasts of the US. They launch their Atlas V vehicle from LC-41 in Cape Canaveral and LC-3E at Vandeberg. Their Delta IV launches from LC-37 at Cape Canaveral and LC-6 at Vandenberg.
175 launches so far, 175 of them successful. The last 175 in a row went to plan.
It went up from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
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